What does the Bible mean when it says something is unclean?

Response

The Hebrew term translated as “unclean” in Leviticus appears almost a hundred times in this particular book, clearly highlighting the distinction between “clean” and “unclean” statuses. Animals, objects, food, clothing, and even individuals could be deemed “unclean.”

In general, the Mosaic Law deemed something as “unclean” if it was unsuitable for use in the worship of God. Being “clean” or “unclean” was a ceremonial classification that governed the rites of communal worship. For instance, certain animals like pigs were considered unclean and therefore unsuitable for sacrifices «Or if a person touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him, he shall be unclean and guilty. », (Leviticus 5:2); and certain actions, such as coming into contact with a dead body, would render a living individual unclean and temporarily unable to partake in the worship service «Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever uncleanness it may be with which a man is defiled, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, he shall be guilty. », (Leviticus 5:3).

Leviticus 10:10 instructed, “You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean” (ESV). The correlation between “holy” and “clean” (and “common” and “unclean”) indicates that the directive pertained to one’s spiritual state, even though physical actions were often involved.

Certain foods were considered unclean for Jews and prohibited from consumption, such as pork, specific fish, and certain birds. A skin ailment could render a person unclean or unsuitable for presence at the tabernacle or within the community «and the priest shall examine the plague on the skinIn the flesh: and when the hair in the plague turns white, and the plague appears deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a leprosy plague: and the priest shall inspect him and declare him unclean.” , (Leviticus 13:3). A house with certain types of mold was considered unclean. A woman was considered unclean for a period after childbirth. On holy days, couples were prohibited from engaging in sexual activity as the emission of semen rendered them unclean until evening “The woman also with whom a man lies with the seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening.” , (Leviticus 15:18).

While various circumstances could render a person, animal, or object unclean, most of the laws focused on activities that disqualified a person or animal in relation to the tabernacle offerings. An animal offered for sacrifice had to be without blemish. The person making the sacrifice also had to be “clean” according to the Law; meaning, the worshiper had to adhere to the Law and approach God with reverence.

In the New Testament, Jesus used the concept of being “clean” to refer to being holy. In Luke 11:39–41, He tells the Pharisees, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.”

“Clean” and “unclean” were familiar concepts to those under the Old Testament Law. God called His people to separate themselves from the impurities of the world. The principle of being clean extends into the New Testament as well, with the idea of living spiritually pure “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. AndTouch not the unclean thing; And I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17) and strive to be holy, living a life worthy of our calling (Colossians 1:10).